Justin Verlander had been receiving very little offensive support prior to tonight's game. In 10 of his first 13 starts, his teammates had scored two runs or fewer leading to nine losses for Verlander. Tonight, Marcus Thames gave Justin all the runs he would need when he blasted a three run shot in the second inning. Verlander took advantage of his good fortune and wasn't about to let the bullpen mess it up. He pitched a rare complete game as the Tigers topped the White Sox 5-1. Verlander allowed just 4 hits and most significantly walked nobody. The last time a Tigers pitcher hurled a complete game was almost exactly a year ago - Justin Verlander's no hitter versus the Brewers on June 9, 2007.
The Tigers second inning began with a 14 pitch walk to Miguel Cabrera by Javier Vazquez. Edgar Renteria then reached on an infield hit with one out leading up to Thames three run shot to left. The White Sox scored a single run in the fourth but the Tigers got it right back in the bottom of the inning on a double by Brandon Inge and a single by Magglio Ordonez. Carlos Guillen tripled home the final run in the sixth.
The Tigers have now won 4 out 5 versus two important divisional foes and look to sweep the White Sox tomorrow afternoon. It will be Kenny Rogers versus Mark Buehrle at 1:00 tomorrow afternoon. This is a pretty big game for the Tigers so they need to avoid one of their notorious Thursday afternoon siestas.
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